What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government regarding repatriation flights for British nationals seeking to return to Wales from foreign countries during the coronavirus lockdown?
Since the FCO issued its advice for British nationals to return home immediately, the International Relations and Trade Department has been in frequent contact with FCO officials to raise awareness of the plight of individuals who are currently overseas and having difficulties with returning to the UK. This sharing of information resulted in the successful repatriation of Welsh nationals who were stranded in Cusco, Peru, and unable to access an earlier FCO charter flight from Lima as they could not travel to board the original flight. Officials are having similar discussions with the FCO about Welsh nationals in India, Bali, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand as well as those who are on board cruise ships.
On 31 March, I took part in a call with my counterparts in the Devolved Administrations and Nigel Adams MP, the Minister of State responsible for consular matters in the FCO, to understand the efforts that the UK Government is making to repatriate UK nationals and to set out ways in which the Welsh Government can assist with repatriation. This includes providing individuals with advice on how to register their presence with the relevant UK authority in country.
The announcement by the Foreign Secretary of a new £75m fund to assist in repatriation efforts is welcomed and Welsh Government officials will continue to support nationals in their efforts to contact the FCO to access information about the additional repatriation services that will be made available in due course.
Some staff from our modest number of overseas offices are also working with the FCO as an integral part of the central consular crisis support team handling enquiries on a daily basis from British nationals seeking to return home.